Automatic switch for conveyers



F. R. T lsE Y' AUTOMATIC SWITCH FOR CONVEYERS H 4 i M F. R. TAISEYAUTOMATIC SWITCH FOR CONVEYERS Filed April 11, I922 4 Sheets-Sheet 5Oct. 21 ,1924.

. F. R. TAISEY AUTOMAIIC SWITCH FOR CONVEYERS Filed April 11 1922 v 4SheetsSheet 4 Maze a I?" li atented Get. 21, 1924.

iCE.

rs as a. TAISEY, or Low'nnL, ivms'sacnnsn'rrsassrenon, BY MnsnnASSIGNMENTS, To -THE LAMsoN cQMrAnY, "9F BQSLON, MASSACHUSETTS,aconronn'rron" on MASSACHUSETTS.

' vAU'IIPO'lVlIltJlIIC SWITCH FOR ?ONVZEYERS Application filed Aprilll,1922. Serial ml 551,517. I

To all whom itmy co'ncemr' Be it known 'that'I, FRED R, TAISEY, acitizenof t e United States of America, and: residentof Lowell, in thecounty of Middle- 'ser and State of Massachusetts, have invented new anduseful Improvements in Automatic witches for Conveyers', of which thefollowing is a specification. 3 f

This invention concerns conveyers' of the 0 kind commonly employed forloading,'un-

loading and carrying all sorts of objects,

I packages andfimater als, and relates more particularly 'to switch'means'iusefulin as socia'tion with such 'eonveyers, whether'f'ofthepower drivenor gravitytype, forjdia verting selectedobje'cts orpackages from the main path of travel into a-diverging The simplestiformofjconveyer consists of a single track, straight or-curvedas'circumstances demand, and delivering all objects or packages placedthereon to a common I While usefulin'manysituations;-

such simple conveyers' are not-adequate iiorl all purposes, and thusconveyers-haye'some point.

times been constructed with diverging tracksin'tof-which approachingobjects, or

' packagesacouldbe divertedby means of a' manually controllable switchor switches,;so that, selected packages or objects, 'placedfl uponthemain-track, mi delivered atdifi'ere'ntfl'points.1;;This atterarrangement longas it is desiredonlyoccasionally tovary-the pointofdelivery of objects-passing along the conve'yer', as, in suchcase,.'the. proper manipulation of is satisfactory so the switch is,a'matter of minor importance. The use of power driven or gravity.conveyersin and about mercantile establish-t 40 ments is,however,constantly increasing and I the uses towhich they are (put Iarebecomirlig or examp c,

more and more diversifie inlarge' textile mills and other manufacturingplants they are now employed for conveying' stock or mechanical partsfrom one departmentto another, the track system employed sometimes beinghighly complex and involvingmany tracks diverging from the main track.So also in the larger'department stores and mail order houses suchconveyers are employed for carrying packages or'merchandise from thesales departments to the shippingroom where it may be de-. sired todeliver them at any of a series of stations corresponding roughly totheir points of destination or to the common carriers through whoseagency they will be transported to the'purch'aser. In establish- .mustconstantly be alertto note the character of the approaching objects orpackagesin order to throwthe proper switch or switches to insure theirdelivery at the desiredpoints- 'As the points of divergence of thevarious side tracks may be widely separatedand out of View ofoneanother, it is difiicult in manycases for one switch f operatortolcontrol more than one or two.

switches, so that the number of switch op-- erators necessary for theproper operation only is a large number ofoperators frequentlynecessary, but the proper operation of the system is' entirely dependentupon the'vigilance and quickness of the operators,

-.,of the conveyor system-may become-so large as for example,as'frequently happens in 4 department stores, whena special Sale is.;-on,ythe stream of packages moving along th track is almostcontinuous,so that it is next toimpossible ,for the operatorto make the necessaryvisual difi'erentiation of approaching packages with suflicient rapidityto secure proper selection thereof, especially if the rush period is atall extended so that therfatigue of constant'attention lowers theoperatorscapacity for careful observation. The'principal object of thepresent inrention is to provide automatically operated 1 1 switchmechanism for use 'in conveyer systoms, whether of the power drivenor'gravity type, suchthat the necessity for employ I i'ng switchoperators is entirely-obviated, the character of the object approachingalong the main track determining the object is to provide anautomaticswitch mechanism of such character as. to permit complex character,having many and Sue-- proper-actuation of the switch. A furthercessively diverging tracks, the-controlling I devices being so arrangedas to permit an object moving along the track to throw any of its use inconveyer systems of the most numberof successive switches necessary to.insure its arrival at" its proper destination.

. A. further object is to provide such mech-'- anism of a simple,durable and dependable character and which may be installed in conveyorsystems of usual type without difli: culty or substantial changetherein.

Referring to the accompanying drawings. illustrating a species of t ingthe invention,--

ig. 1 is a fragmentaryplan view of a conveyer,-.' comprising a maintrack and a1 diverging track, together with the switch mechanism of thepresent invention, such mechanism being shown in normal position; Fig. 2is a view similar to Fig. ,1, but showing the switch mechanism as set topermit movement of bodies along the main track without diversiontherefrom;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section, partly in eievation', taken on alinesuch as a-b of ig. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal section on a line suchas (i -(Z of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the parts as moved fromnormal position to permit the passage of a body along the main track; a4

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the switch mechanism,showing a releasable latch employed in connection therewith;

1F ig. 'E is a fragmentary, vertical cross section 'on a line such as efof Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, horizontal section on a line such as 9 -h ofFig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the advancing end of a receptacle such asmay be employed with the conveyer system here-in illustrated F i 10 is afront elevation of a modi-.

' fied orm of receptacle;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary side elevation of the same;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary plan view of a further'modified form ofreceptacle; and

hig. 13 is a front elevation of the same. Referring to the drawings theconveyer system is shown as comprising a main track A, having the siderails 1, 2, such rails being provided with series of journal openingsfor the reception of the axles 3 of rollers 4. Resting upon the severalrollers is the upper run 5 of an endless belt, whose lower run 5* isshown in Fig. 3, such belt being driven from any suitable sourceofpower, not indicated. Diveraing from the main track is a second trackcomprising the side rails 6, 7, having journal openings for the axles 8of a series of rollers 9. This second track may or ma not be providedwith an endless belt, as esired, being herein illustrated as unprovidedwith power driyen impelling means, and representing merely a storagespur, or the upper end of e genus comprisend of thebar 21.

a downwardly inclined, gravity conveyor track. Extending along the maintrack, adjacent to the junction point of the diverg- .ing track, is auide rail, 10 suitably sup-v ported by the rail-1, and upon the oppositeside of the main track is a second guide 'ail 11 which merges into aguide rail 12 extending for a suitable'distance along the divergingtrack. These guide rails are arranged somewhat above the correspondingtrack rails and are adapted to engage the sides 0f 'a body moving alongthe conveyer to prevent such body from being thrust sidewise from of?the conveyor tracks by the action of the switch bar hereinafter to bedescribed.

' Adjacent to the junction point of the diverging track B, andsubstantially opposite the point at which rail 7 unites with rail 2, asupporting post- 13 is provided, this post having a pair of verticallyspacedbrackets 14:, 15 secured thereto. These brackets are provided withjournal openings in which is mounted a substantially vertical rock shaft16, having a fixe'dcollarl? which rests upon .the upper surface of thebracket 14, thus retaining theshait 'main track, for a purposehereinafter to be described. One end of a tension spring 22 is securedto the arm 20, the other end of such spring being connected to a fixedpart of the bracket 15,-or to any other convenient member.

The bar 21 is of a length to extend ob- Y liquely across the entirewidth of the main conveyer track and when in normal position aligns withthe side rail 6 of the branch track B, and for supporting the free endof such bar while swinging in a plane substantially parallel to that ofthe track, a brace rod 23 is provided, this rod being journalled at 24upon the upper end of the shaft 16 and being secured at its 0pposite endat the point 25 to, the outer This brace rod is bowed outwardly at itscentral portion, as indicated at 26, for apurpose'herein to bedescribed. The switch bar 21 is preferably of angle" iron, providing anupper horizontal flange and "a vertical flange, the latter beingso'dlsposed that it may be engaged by bodies approaching along theconveyer track;

ago

wi l mm bolts or rivets 28. This plate has a stop? i 61, is 'arrangedwithin the channel of lever shoulder 29 and is provided with a ivot pin30 upon which is mounted a latch ever This latch lever is furnishedwith'a 31., latch shoulder 32inormally lying substanand spaced from-thestop shpulderi A spring 33 normally retains tlie latch ieuer '31 in theposition shown in Fig. 6. Secured to the rail 2 of the main 'conveyer.is a bracket 34 (Fig. 7) having a horizontal arm 35 upon which ismounted an abutment pin 36, such pin normally occupying thespacefbetween stop member 29 and the :latch shoulder 32. This-abutmentpm thus serves as a stop to prevent excess movement of theswit'ch bar 21under act on of the spring 22, and alsocooperates with the of the bar 21except upon latch to" prevent swingin in opposition to such spring,disengagement of the. latch.

Securedtii'the shaft 16 at apoint immediately-above the castingi 18 isacollar 37 provided with a latch actuating crank arm 38' having a crankpin 39. This crank pin passes freelythrough a slot 40 the end of a linkor bar 41, the opposite end of such link having a slot 42 through whichpasses a pin 43 secured to the latch member- 31.1

The slots 40 and 42 provide for lost motion between the crank arm 38 andthe latch lever 31 so that the crank arm is permitted to turn'through asubstantial angle before the l'atchlever 31 is moved sufiiciently torelease the latchshoulder 32 from member 36. I z

Associated with the shaft 16 is-suitable feeler mechanism comprising a"lever arm 44 journaled at one end upon the shaft 16. The end of thelever arm which is journalled upon the shaft 16 is bifurcated to providespacedvmembers 45, 46, [the lower of erably of channel section, havingthe lower I cal side member54, such side member being so disposed thatit may be engaged by a body flange 51, the upper flange 52,,andthe-vertimoving-along the conveyer track. Whenin normal position thejarm44 extends across the path-of bodies moving along the con- .veyer beingproperly positioned by a stop member 44% A spring 56 is provided formaintaining the arm mnormal position, this spring being secured to amember 57 out-.

standing from the part 54 of such lever, the opposite end of the springbeing secured to a-bracket 58 projecting' from the supportingpost-13.-.-- I

the I abutment outstanding projectionsg being assumed that theswitch-mechanism .abutment member 36 for holding- A feeler lever,comprising arms 60 and arm 44, being journallednpcn a pin.59. A spring62' is interposed between the arm 61 and the inner surface of the member54 of the lever 44,-such spring tending to move I the. feeler lever outof parallelism with the lever arm 44 The arm 60 of the feeler levernormally'contacts, at a point such as 63, with the inner surface of themember 54, the latter constituting a stop element for such feeler lever.The outer end of the arm 60' is providedwith a pivotpin 64 upon which 67is secured having theoutstanding pin 68 to which is connected a spring69, whose opposite end is secured to a bracket 70 projecting downwardlyfrom they rail 1; The spring 69 is so arrangedthat it tends to turnshaft 16 in a clockwise direction. At 71, Fig.1 2, is indicated abox-like re ceptacle which'may serve to contain any material which itisdesired to move along the conveyer. The forward end of this receptaclecomprises the element 72, which element may or may not be provided'withan opening or recess such as73, indicated in Fig. 9.' While in Fig. 9suchfope'ning or recess is indicated as formed directly in the element72, the latter having no forwardly it is. contemplated that -such recessmay e formed in other ways. For example, referring to Fig. 10, the endof the receptacle'is'indicated at 72, such end being provided with apair of par,-

allel, outstanding members 74, 75 spaced suitable opening in the block.

' The operation of the apparatus previously-described is substantiallyas follows, it

normally occupies the position shown in Fig.

1, wherein the switch bar 21 extends diago'- nally across the main trackA, and the shoulder 32 of thelatch lever 31 engages the eswitch 20,engage a bar or pin 80 passing through a g bar in normal position...With the parts as thus arranged, a receptacle such as 71, in

passing down the main track of the conveyer, wil 'actuate the feelermechanism comprising. the lever 44 and the contact roller 65. If theapproaching end of the receptacle-be unprovidedwith a recess such as 73or its equivalent, it will first contact with the roller 65, therebyswinging the feeler lever relatively to the lever arm 44 and-causing thetooth 66 of the feeler lever to enter the recess 49. Immediatelythereaftenan element of the advancing end of the'receptacle will strikethe outer surface ofthe member 54 of the lever 44, thereby swinging thelever 44 about the axis of'shaft 16. As the tooth 66 has already beenpositioned within the recess 49, the swinging of the lever 44 causes thetooth to engage the surface 50 of the recess. The lever 44 is thuslocked to the collar 48 and the shaft 16 is thereby compelled to turnwith the lever arm 44. As the receptacle continues to move downwardlyalong the track, further 'turn ing of the arm 44 and theshaft 16 swingsthe crank arm 38, with the crank pin 39,

to an extent suflicient to take up the lost mo tion provided by theslots 40 and 42 and then transmit any. further movement of the arm 44,through the link 41, to the latch lever. f 31. The latter is therebyswung aboutits pivot sufiiciently to release the shoulder 32 from theabutment member 36. Thenormal relation of the feeler mechanism and the35 switch bar 21 is such that the feeler' mechanism is movedsubstantially out of the path of the advancing receptacle at the instantthe latch is'released, and prior to contact of thereceptacle with theswitch bar. After the holding latch has been released, the receptacle'strikes the bar 21 and by its impact therewith swings the latter aboutthe axis of shaft 16 until the bar occupies a position'substantiallysuch as shown in Fig. 2, thereby permitting the receptacle topass freelyalong the main track A of the conv veyer. As the switch bar is convextoward the approaching receptacle, the latter can en'- gage the formerat but a single point at any a one time, so that the movement of the re-I ceptacle along the track is not substantially impeded, nor' is' itdeflected from its normal path to an appreciable extent. The brace rod23, being bowed outwardly as at 26, is not engaged by the receptacle asthelatter moves ownwardly along the conveyer track so that there is nodanger of the jamming of the receptacle beneath such brace rod.

If the approaching receptacle be providedwith a rpcess or opening sopositioned that the enters the same as the receptaele' approaches thefeeler mechanism, the a vancmg receptacle will first contact with tiemember 54, and the. feeler lever will not aa/ b'e moved relatively tothe lever arm 44. As

the tooth 66 now stands in the position shown in Fig. 4, the swinging oft e lever arm 44 under impact of the receptacle merely moves the ieelerlever bodily about the axis of shaft 16 without lockingthe arm 44 to thecollar, 48. The feeler mechanism thus moves freely out of the path ofthe advancing receptacle without actuating the shaft 16 and withoutreleasing the latch lever 31. The bar 21 thus remains locked in normalposition, and as the advancing receptacle comes into contact therewith,it is diverted from its normal path of movement and compelledto pass onto the branch track B of the conveyer. lit is thus evident that thelatch 31 may either be released, or allowed to remain in holdingposition in-accordance with the type of indication with which theadvancing receptacle is provided, so that selected receptacles may becaused to continue 35 along the main track or to pass into the divergenttrack automatically and without' any attention on'the part'of theoperator.- 4

While the/arrangement shown in Fig, 9 is perhaps the simplest which maybe devised for securing the desired selection, it is evident that otherarrangements, such as those shown Figs. 10 and 13 may be employed forselectively controlling the feeler mechanism in the same'manner asdescribed with respect to the' device of Fig. 9. It'is: also evidentthat b arranging the arm 44 at different heig ts, the feelermechanism'maybe made to cooperate with indications arranged at differentpositions upon the advancing face of the receptacle. Thus, if theconveyer system comprise a series of tracks diverging from the main"track, it is possible, by providing the receptrades with indicationsarranged at difierent points, and by arranging the feeler mechanisms atthe respective junctions to cooperate with such differently positionedindications: to cause selected receptacles moving along the main trackto turn into any of the di-' verging tracks in accordance with suchpredetermined arrangement. Furthermore, a single receptacle may beprovidd with various indications cooperable with successive switches, ifthe conveyor system comprise a series of tracks diverging from oneanother in succession, so that a given reoeptahle can be caused to passfrom the main track on to a. diverging track, and thence selectively topass on to further divergin tracks.

The arrangementshown 1n Figs. 12 and 13 provides ready means whereby theindication recess may beadjusted in accordance with the trackalong whichit is desired the receptacle to pass and if the conveyer system be atall complex, avoids the necessity of keeping. on hand a large assortmentof receptacles having difierently disposed, fixed indications.

ill

system ism? that vtype having an endless belt or a belt restinguponrollers, it is evident the/t the mechanism herein shownisnot' in"anymanner restricted in its use to such form of conveyor, but mightherein been illustrated, various changes and the conveyer.

rearrangements of s arts, together i with modifications of the eldm'entsemployed well be made without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention.

(What I' claim anddesire to secure by Letters Patentof the United Statesis:

1,. A conveyer having a maintrack and a'branch track, and anelongateswibch bar cooperable therewith and normally in sub-= stantialalignment with one side of the branch track, said switch barbeing-pivotally supported to; swifi g about a point at one side of themain track and having a convex surface opposed to bodies approachingalong said tree 7 2. A switch mechanism for conveyors comprising anelongate bar pivotally supported adjacent to one of its extremities, andmeans acting upon the free extremity of the bar for releasably holdingsaid her in 11 position, said bar being bowed from end to end andpresenting a convex surface for contact withbodies approaching along 3.In combination with a conveyor systenL having a main track comprising anendlw. supporting belt, a fixed track "diverging therefrom, a switchmechanism comprising a switch barand .relativel movable elementsengageable respective y with cooperating elements upon the advancing endof a body carried along said main track by the belt automatically todetermine the position of said switch bar and the diversion theieby ofsuch body into thc'diverging track or its continuing movement. along themain track. 7

A switch mechanism for use with conveyer tracks, comprising a. switchbar pivto swing transversely of the track, a latch mounted upon the freeextremity of the bar and engageable with a fixed abut ment for holdingthe bar in predetermined position, a feeler movable in a planesubstantially parallel to the plane of movement of the bar, and meanefortransmitting movement from the Easier to the latch.

5. mechanism for conveyors cornvprising a pivoted switch lever, alatchfor positively holding said lever in normalpositi-on, a membernormally extending indie the path of a. body moving along theconveyerand movable out of such path independently of the switch'lever, afeelerelement upon:

said member,'said feeler element being con st-ructed and arrangedtolock'said member to a movable part, and means for transmit tingmovement from said part to the latch whereby to release the switchlever.

I 6. Switch mechanism "for conveyers comprising a. switch bar and-aretaining latch therefor, a pivoted lever arm, spring means normallyholding said arm in a position :to

be struck by a body moving alon the, 0

veyer but permitting the arm to e swung to one side by such body in(passing, a feeler arm to swing arm, and connections between saidelement .and the latch. 7. Switch mechanism of the class 4 describedhaving a movable switch bar and releasable latch means for holding saidbar in normal said late means comprising a rock shaft, a

lever pivoted to swing freely thereon, a.

feeler element carried by said lever,1neans osition, and releasingdevices for actuable by the feeler element for locking said lever to theshaft, and means for transmitting movement from the shaft to latchmeans.

said' '100 8. Apparatu of the class described comprising a latch-member,a rock shaft, a lever pivoted upon said shaft to swing freely about theaxis thereof, a feeler element movably supported "upon tlfe lever,an'abutment member fixed upon the shaft, a member movable with thefeeler element and engageable with the abutment whereby to look thelever to the shaft, and meansfor transmitting movement from the shaft tothe latch.

9. Apparatus of'the class described'comprising a latch member, a rockshaft having a crank arm fixed thereon, means connecting said crank armto the latch fortransmitting movement from the shaft to the latch, acollar liked to the shaft, said collar having a substantially radialabutment surface, a lever pivoted to swing upon the shaft, .a feelerelement pivotally supported upon the first lever to move relativelythereto, and a toothmoving'with said feeler element and engageable withthe said abutment'surface for locking the lever to the shaft.

10. Apparatus of the class described comprising a movable latch member,a rock shaft, a collar fast to said shaft and having a crank arm, acrank pin carried thereby, lifilr means connecting the crank pin withthe latch, a second collarfast to the shaft, said latter collar having aperipheral recem providing a substantiallyradial face, a lever pivotedupon the shaft adjacent-to said'secnd collar, and a feeler elementpivotally supported upon the lever, said feeler element having a tailmember provided with a tooth engageable with the radial face of therecess for locking the lever to the shaft.

11-. Switch mechanism of the class 'described comprising a switch barpivoted to swin about a fixed axis, latch means .associate iwithsaid barfor holding it in predetermined position, a feeler device pivotedcoaxially with said bar, and a rod for transmitting movement from thefeeler device to said latch for releasing the latter.

[12. Switch mechanism for use with a gravity oonveyer track comprising aswitch bar pivotally supported at one end at a point adjacent to oneside of the track, a pivoted latch carried by said bar. adjacent to itsop- 'posite end, an abutment'member adjacent tothe opposite side of thetrack for engagement by said latch, a moviable feeler device arrangedfor engagement by a body moving along the track, and a link fortransmitting movement from the feeler device to the latch.

13. A switch mechanism of the class described comprising a switch barpivotally supported adjacent to one of its ends, a

1 spring pressed latch mounted upon said bar adjacent-to its, freeextremity and engagebar in predetermined position, a givotally supportedfeeler, and means, inclu ing lost mot on connections, for transmittingmovement from the feeler to the latch.

14. Switch mechanism for conveyors comprising a pivotally mounted switchbar, a spring pressed latch ivotally supported upon the. free end ofsald bar, a fixed abutment for engagement with said'latch, a mov ablefeeler member, a pin movable thereby,

and a link, having'a slot at one end with which said pin engages,andconnected at its op osite end to said latch.

5. Switch mechanism of the .class described comprising a switch barpivoted at one end to swing about a fixed axis, a latch pivotallymounted upon the free extremity of said bar, a feeler device mounted toswing" about the axis of said bar, a pin movable by said feeler device,-a pin carried by said latch, and alink having an elongate slot at eitherend, said slots respectively being constructed and arranged toreccivethe respective pins.

16. Switch mechanism for conveyors comprising a movable switch memberand a retaining latch therefor, a lever arm normally I o'ccup 'ing aposition such as to be struck by a y movingalonggthe conveye r, and

thereby to be "swung cos-em side to permit such body to pass, 1 k edupon said leventarnrsand having a pen e with a fixed ab tment forholding the tooth in any element support- Leiaaso bodily movementtherewith, said lever being provided at one end with an element.normally projecting from said member in' the direction of approach of abody along the conveyer and having a tooth at its opposite end,anactuator connected with the latch,

and an abutment element fixed relatively 'to said actuator andengageable by. said'tooth upon movementpf the lever relativelymemberupon which it is mounted;

to the. V

18-. In a device of the classfdescribed a movable switch element, andcontrolling devices therefor comprising-a mainlever, a

feeler lever pivotally supported thereon, a contact element carried bysaid feeler. lever and spring means interposed between said main leverand feeler lever so constructed and arranged as normally to maintainsaid feeler lever with its contact element projecting beyond the edge ofthe'main lever.

19. A device of the class described comprising a lever pivotallysupported adja cent to one of its ends a. fixed stop member, springmeans normally maintaining said lever in contact with the stop member,an elongate feeler element pivotall supported upon the lever, a contactr01 journalled upon one end of the feeler element, a spring luo normallytending to turn said feelerelemen out of parallelism with the lever, andstop means for limiting suchturning movement.-

20, Switch mechanism-for conveyors comprising a switch member and aretaining latch therefor, an actuator for the latch, a lever normallyextending across the conveyor and in the path of bodies moving along thesame, a feeler element pivotally supported upon the lever, said elementhaving a contact rollat .one end, the peripheral surface ofwh'ichnormally projects beyond the edge of the lever in the direction ofapproach of bodies along the conveyer, 'ahda-tooth at the opposite endof saidfeeler element, said eing operatively.-engageable with a partfixed relatively to the latch actuator upon movement of the feelerelement relatively. to the lever, whereby t lock said lever and actuatortogether.

21. In combination with a conve er, a movable switch member, and n sansor 'determining movement of such 11 ember'comprising a lever of channelsecti in pivotally supported to swing across said conveyor and in aplane substantially parallel thereto, the closed side of said. leverbeing normally so positioned as to oppose bodies moving along thec'onveyer, said closed side having an elongate slot therein, a feelerlever pivoted within the channel of the first lever, a com pressionspring interposed between-the inner surface of the first lever and'oneend of the feeler lever, and a contact roll j ournalled at the other endof the feeler lever and nor- .mally projecting through the slot in thefirst lever.

ceptacles movable along the. same, 'feeler mechanism no'imally extendinacross the path of such receptacles, such eelermechanismcomprisingrelatively movable contact members the advancing. faces of theseveral receptacles being provided with elements constructed andarranged respectively for selective contact with one or the other ofsaid feeler members, andi a switch member, movable independently 0 saidfeeler mechanism, but normally controlled'thereby, for

selectively diverting receptacles'from their normal path in accordancewith indications carried by the receptacles. v

23. In combination with a conveyerhaving a main track, a divergingtrack, receptacles movable along said conveyer, feeler mechanismcomprising a plurality of relatively movable members, certain of whichnormally project beyond others in the direction of approach of saidreceptacle, selected receptacles having elements arranged to contactwith a certam one or said feeler members, prior'to contact of an elementof such receptacle with the other of said members, and a switch member,movable independently of such. feeler mechanism, but normally controlledthereby, for determining diversion of selected receptacles to 'thebranch track.

24. In combination with a conveyer having diverging tracks, receptaclesmovable along said conveyor, feeler mechanism comprising a plurality ofrelatively movable members, selected receptacles having elementsarranged to contact with one of said members prior to contact ofelements of the receptacles with the other of said members,

22. In combinationwith a conveyor, re-,

ment with said projecting part, and a switch member movableindependentlyof said feeler mechanism, but normally under control of thelatter, for divertin receptacles from their normal path.

26. In combination with a conveyerhaving a pivotedswitch bar, areceptacle movable along said conveyer, and switch controlling fe'elermechanism. comprising relatively movable members, one of said membersprojecting beyond the otherin the direction of approach of receptaclesalong the con voyer, said receptacle having a recess into which suchprojecting feeler member may enter.

27'. In combination .with a conveyer having a 'switclli, a receptaclemovable along said conveye and switch controlling feeler mechanismcomprising. relatively movable members, one of said members projectingbeyondthe other in the direction of apcertain of the proach'ofreceptacles along the conveyer,"

and a vertically adjustable part carried by said selected receptacles,said part having'an element engageable with the second of said feelermembers prior to engagement of the projecting member with any portion ofthe receptacle.

28, In combination with a conveyer having a feeler controlled switch, areceptacle movable alon the conveyer, said receptacle having a guigewayuponits advancing end, a block havin a recess therein slideable alongsaid gui eway, and means for securing said block in adjusted position.

29. A conveyer system including a conveyer for carriers, a stationcomprising a track divergingfrom said conveyor and. automatic meansforswitching carriers into said station, said means comprising an arm forengaging said carriers before theyreach the junction of said conveyerand track, said arm being mounted to swing into either an operative "orinoperative position, and means comprising a second arm, coaxial withthe first arm, for determining movement of said first arm.

30. A conveyer'system including a conveyer for carriers, a stationcomprising a track diverging from said conveyer,"and automatic means forswitching carriers iiito said station, said means comprising an arm forengaging said carriers before they reach 7 v the junction of saidconteyer and track, said arm being normally positioned diagonally acrossthe path of'movement of the carriers, and releasable latch means carriedby the free extremity of the arm for holding it innormal position onsaid conveyer but mounted for movement out of said'position.

31; A conveyor system including a conveyer for, carriers, a stationcomprising a traclg diverging from said conveyer, and

automatic means forswitching carriers into I said station, said meansincluding a-pivoted arm normally positioned in the path of movement ofthe carriers on said conveyer riers, means-for locking"sa id"switch inits .er, aswitch bar axis normally lying across said ma1n'convey--normal position, and mechanism comprising a pivoted part coaxial withsaid switch element and arranged to be actuated by the carfor operatingsaid locking means. 1 33? In a conveye'r system, the combination of amain conveyer for carriers, a branch oonveyer diverging from said mainconveyivoted to turn about a fixed release er in position to divertcarriers therefrom on to said branch conveynsupporting means for saidswitch enabling, it to be moved out of said position by the contacttherewith of said carriers whereby the carriers are allowed to continuealong said first conveyor, a lock for holding said switch in said normalposition, a feel'er element in the path of travel ofsaid carriers beforethey reach saidswitch, means supporting said element for bodily swingingmovement independently of the switch bar when struck by one 'ofsaid'carriers, means for returning said element to its initial position afterit has been moved away from said position by a carrier, and connectionsbetween said element and lock for utilizin the movement of saidelementto operate file lock.

Signed by me at Boston, Massachusetts, this twenty-first day of March,1922.

rnnn n; raiser.

